ROSELAND, NJ - For the second year, the Roseland Fire Departmentwill once again be participating in the American Lung Association's annual “Fight for Air Climb" in an effort to raise money for the association's education and outreach programs. On Saturday, March 21, a team including Roseland's Assistant Chief Rich Loveless, Lt. Matthew Popola, Firefighter/EMT Barry Bachenheimer, and Firefighters Perry Lee and Andy Vogel, will join hundreds of other tri-state area firefighters in the unique "vertical road race" fundraising event which will take place at the 57 stories tall One Penn Plaza, in New York City. The skyscraper will challenge climbers to make their way up to the top of the building through 55 staircases made up of 22 steps between each floor.

"Think 55 floors are bad enough? The teams will be running in their “bunker gear,” all 60 pounds of it.This is not a race for the faint at heart (or legs!)" commented Loveless. “One of our guys is a marathon runner and another does triathlons.The rest of us will just do our best to stay in shape and be competitive."

﻿Donations Welcomed﻿Anyone interested in making a donation to support the Roseland team’s fundraising efforts for the American Lung Association may do so online here.

The Roseland Fire Department is an all-volunteer department consisting of 41 members whose primary mission is to provide professional fire and rescue services to the Borough of Roseland. The department is celebrating its 102nd year of service and responds to approximately 250 calls per year.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization dedicated to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The organization provides support and education for those living with asthma, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and fights external threats to lung health.